Uranium Enrichment

Uranium Enrichment: Recently, Iran rejected suspending its uranium enrichment, lowering hopes for a quick breakthrough in nuclear talks with the United States amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.

• About Uranium Enrichment : To increase the concentration of the isotope U-235 in uranium to desired levels for different uses.

o Need: Natural uranium contains about 99.3% U-238 and only 0.7% U-235.

ü Nuclear reactors require uranium enriched to 3–20% U-235.

ü Nuclear weapons need uranium enriched to about 90% U-235.

ü Uranium enriched beyond 20% is classified as highly enriched uranium (HEU).

• About Iran Nuclear Deal : Also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

o Resulted from extended talks between 2013 and 2015 involving Iran and the P5+1 countries—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, plus Germany.

• Key Commitments by Iran: Agreed to significantly reduce its stockpile of centrifuges.

o Cut down on its enriched uranium reserves.

o Limited its supply of heavy water, all critical materials for developing nuclear weapons.

• In 2018, the US unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed oil and banking sanctions.
• In response, Iran resumed and intensified its nuclear programme, reaching nearly 97% of its pre-2015 nuclear capacity.